The Consolarium: Learning and Teaching Scotlands advocate for gamesbasedlearning

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The ConsolariumLearning and Teaching Scotlands
advocate for games-based-learning
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Ok.What about the people managing and
implementing technology and pedagogy in schools,
what do they think?
Anna Rossvoll ICT Development OfficerAberdeenshir
e Council
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Why computer games?

• Whitfield Primary, Dundee, 1997-1999
• Games at Christmas-tetris
• Problem solving with the Zoombinis
• Using the Nintendo 64 to promote creative writing
• Pupils were motivated and stimulated to learn
• Encouraged and facilitated collaboration
• Encouraged and facilitated learner reflection
• A climate of active and knowledgeable
  participation
• No fear in the approach to their learning

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A tech-savy client group?

• Prenskys digital native digital immigrant
  thesis?
• Modern technology is now embedded in, and
  integral to, young learners lives

• digital interactive TV
• the internet
• music downloads
• computer games
• mobile phones
• instant messaging

• social networks
• blogs
• ebay
• online avatars
• MMORPG
• sharing media

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Communication breakdown?

• Do teachers (digital immigrants) speak a
  different language from young learners (digital
  natives)?
• Is our methodology still based on how immigrants
  were socialised to learn?
• slowly, step-by-step, linear, individually,
  seriously
• Do immigrants implicitly assume that learners
  learn, and will continue to learn, the way they
  always have?

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The Consolarium

• Scottish Centre for Games in Education
• Comprehensive range of commercial consoles and
  games
• PS2, PSP, PS3, Xbox360, DS, Wii,
• Alienware PC
• Intel Mac
• Interactive whiteboard
• Wi-fi access
• www.ltscotland.org.uk/consolarium

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What it aims to do

• Promote games and learning
• Act as a centre that teachers and educational
  managers can visit
• Develop a community of interested partners
• education, academic industry
• Nurture, support and celebrate effective and
  innovative practice with games
• Address associated moral panics and legitimate
  concerns
• Embed games and learning in ACfE

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Come to the Consolarium
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Consolarium on tour!
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Who are we working with?

• Aberdeenshire
• Aberdeen City
• Dundee City
• Fife
• City of Edinburgh
• Stirling
• West Lothian
• Falkirk

• Renfrewshire
• Inverclyde
• Western Isles
• West Dunbartonshire
• East Dunbartonshire
• East Lothian
• Moray
• Perth Kinross

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Our new learning space

• A Curriculum for Excellence is currently under
  development
• Successful Learners
• Confident Individuals
• Responsible Citizens
• Effective Contributors
• Should curriculum and methodologies have cultural
  significance?

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Enhanced learning?

• Powerful motivational context
• Science model (Problem solving)
• Knowledge of other curricular areas
• Metacognitive development
• Formative assessment embedded
• Collaborative contexts
• Affective domain targeted
• Culturally relevant and valued

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Some of our projects

• Dr. Kawashima helps to improve numeracy
• Cross-curricular work with Guitar Hero
• Myst in Aberdeenshire
• Computer games design
• Crazy Talking in Stirling
• Learning phonics through dance mats

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How did the DS project start?

• I bought a DS in March 2006
• Dr. Kawashima and some other titles
• My teacher radar made me consider how this
  might have an impact in class
• Cognitive challenge
• Possibility of helping mental maths
• Game design fosters intrinsic motivation and a
  culture of achievement

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Formulating the project

• Dr. Kawashimas Brain training is said to
• Exercise the pre-frontal cortex
• Increase blood-flow to the brain
• Help prepare learners for learning
• Felt that there was a link with Brain Gym in
  relation to
• The theory of exercising the brain
• Preparing learners to learn

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Dr. Kawashima Project

• Three P.6 classes in schools in Dundee
• One with Nintendo DS and Kawashima 15/20 minutes
  a day, one Brain Age check every week
• One class using Brain Gym for 15/20 minutes where
  and when appropriate
• One control group
• 10 week treatment period
• Pre and post tests
• Age appropriate Maths test
• Burnett self scale

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Self Concept Measure

• Results of Burnett self concept measure

• No statistically significant changes
• Nintendo group only group to show average
  increase in this measure

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Time taken to complete test
2. Average times on maths test

• Statistically significant drop in times from
  Nintendo group
• 1701?1319
• Some examples
• Child W
• 1711?928
• Child X
• 1354?631

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Score in maths test
2. Average scores on maths test

• Statistically significant jump in scores from
  Nintendo group
• 76 ? 86
• Some examples
• Child Y
• 23?68
• Child Z
• 60?90

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Initial analysis
2. Scores on Maths Test
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Any impact on learning?
Average scores on maths test

• Statistically significant jump in scores from
  Nintendo group
• 76 ? 86
• Some examples
• Child Y
• 23?68
• Child Z
• 60?90

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Unexpected findings

• Teacher commented on the change in
  atmosphere/ethos in the class
• Calmer
• Less aggression
• Collegiate ethos
• Togetherness
• Independence
• Enhanced self-esteem
• Dont take them away!

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Guitar HeroCross-curricular learning

• Guitar Hero Project
• P.7 in Aberdeenshire
• Last term of the year
• Children wholly lost in the world of rock and
  roll
• Intrinsic motivation, enhanced learning,
  commitment to tasks
• Impact on ethos

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Guitar Hero

• The game in action in the classroom

Kim Applin Primary Teacher Aberdeenshire Council
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Guitar Hero

• Cross-curricular projects
• Art Design
• Writing
• Environmental Studies
• Music
• Drama
• Design Technology

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Guitar Hero

• Cross-curricular learning
• Writing project linked to the Design Technology
  guitar design activity

Kim Applin Primary Teacher Aberdeenshire Council
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MystMotivating children to write

• Based on Tim Rylands work
• In 20 primary schools across Aberdeenshire
• CPD event held to help develop confidence an
  competence
• GLOW groups to foster collaborative and
  supportive learning communities

Myst in the classroom in Aberdeenshire
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MystImpact in the classroom

• Powerful motivational tool
• Extending and enhancing writing
• Reluctant writers engaged
• Positive impact on behaviour
• Natural home for formative assessment strategies
• Context has currency and relevance

Jonathan Cordiner Primary 7 Teacher,
Aberdeenshire Council
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Computer games design

• Learners as creators, not just consumers
• Gamemaker
• Thinking Worlds
• Missionmaker
• Neverwinter Nights
• 2.5 days training for four teachers from eight
  Local Authorities
• Funding for software to support the pilots

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Crazy Talking in Stirling

• Exploiting games related contexts
• Link to avatars in games
• Crazy Talk allows still images to become animated
  lip-synching characters
• 25 licenses shared across local authorities
• Stirling Council
• P.7 Titanic project
• Powerful motivational tool
• Reluctant writers motivated to write (mostly
  boys)
• Used with MFLE and E/S

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Dance mats teaching phonics

• Teaching reading via a dance mat?
• Ramba Studios
• Primary Phonics
• West Lothian purchased 85 sets. One for every
  Early Years setting
• Kinaesthetic learning style
• Culturally engaging?
• New way of approaching early reading skills

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What else is happening?

• 18 PS2s 18 Wiis out in schools
• Sony PSP project in the planning stages
• Sony Buzz Schools Quiz project
• Pro-Evolution Soccer Championship Manager in S5
• RM Easiteach dance mat for Gaelic
• Phoenix Wright for writing in S2
• Developing AifL through The Winning Game
• Nintendogs in P.2
• Extended Dr. Kawashima research project

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Lets be realistic

• Successful learners require good teachers
• This is another way through which we can engage
  digitally aware learners
• We need to explore this medium but we need to be
  open-minded and practical
• Continue to explore how can we aid the delivery
  of a modern and ambitious education system

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Thank you

• d.robertson_at_ltscotland.org.uk
• http//www.ltscotland.org.uk/consolarium
• http//ltsblogs.org.uk/consolarium
• http//hotmilkydrink.typepad.com